Can You Put Psyllium Husk Powder in Yogurt?

Psyllium can cause watery yogurts to thicken.

A type of shrub called Plantago ovata produces thousands of tiny seeds, from which psyllium husks are produced. After a drying and crushing process, manufacturers turn those rough husks into a fine powder. Psyllium husk powder has a slew of benefits for the human body, such as lowering cholesterol and reducing blood sugar. It’s no wonder you’re considering adding psyllium to your serving of yogurt.

Mixing Psyllium with Yogurt

Psyllium husk powder is a type of soluble fiber, meaning it sops up or absorbs moisture. Many types of pure psyllium husk powder can blend right in with water, virtually undetected until it thickens. You can certainly add psyllium husk powder to yogurt, too. However, if it’s a thicker type of yogurt, like plain Greek yogurt, there might not be enough moisture present for psyllium to flawlessly blend in. This could leave yogurt with a slight grainy texture if it doesn’t dissolve completely. On the other hand, if your yogurt is looser and watery, psyllium could thicken it.

The Benefits

Psyllium husk powder is known to improve the ease of waste movement through your bowels, minimizing problems with diarrhea or constipation, by helping to firm the stool or by pulling more water into your gut to soften it. It can even alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. By mixing psyllium husk powder with yogurt, you can further improve your bowel health. Yogurts that contain probiotics help increase the amount of healthy bacteria in your gut. These probiotics are beneficial for regularity, lessening your chances of having diarrhea, and can possibly reduce side effects associated with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Proper Psyllium Dosage

The exact amount of psyllium husk powder you’re supposed to take varies. If you’re not used to getting a lot of fiber in your diet, start out with a small dose, like one-half a teaspoon, once per day, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some brands of psyllium supplements recommend gradually increasing your intake to up to 1 teaspoon, three times per day. Because psyllium can interact with medications and cause problems, you’ll want to ask your doctor for the best dosage for your own needs.

Psyllium Warnings

Psyllium needs water to function properly. Drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water throughout the day when you’re taking psyllium. Poor fluid intake can lead to constipation, blockages in your bowels and even choking if it gets stuck in your throat. Additionally, you’ll most likely know if you’re taking too large of a dose of psyllium husk powder. Getting too much or increasing your dosage too quickly could cause gas, bloating and irregularity.